Flying into Beautiful Miami

Miami International Airport (MIA) is the gateway to South Florida and a major hub for flights to and from Latin America. Visitors to Miami are drawn to the city's dynamic mix of stunning beaches, ethnic neighborhoods, high-end shopping malls, delicious eats, and a nonstop party scene. Despite its popularity, there are still plenty of cheap and budget-friendly hotels in Miami. Consider South Beach hostels like Bikini Hostel, airport hotels like Days Inn, downtown conference hotels like Hyatt Regency, or boutique luxury resorts like Mayfair Hotel & Spa.

Flying American Airlines

American Airlines has a major hub at MIA and offers flights from near and far. Transcontinental travelers will want to look into American's cheap flights to Miami from LAX. Since American is part of the Oneworld alliance, international travelers will enjoy the easy connections to partner airlines flying to Europe, Latin America, South America, and the Caribbean.

Getting to and from Miami International Airport

Many Miami area hotels offer complimentary shuttle services between the hotel and MIA. If your hotel does not offer shuttle service, there are other public transportation options available. Look at private taxis and Super Shuttle services that operate between MIA and the Greater Miami area. Miami also has an excellent public transportation system that includes Metrobuses, Metrorail lines, and the MetroMover. If you want to splurge, book a private car or limo to take you from the airport to your hotel.

Best Time of Year to Visit Miami

Miami is subject to the effects of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, which means traveling between the months of June and November can be risky. This could be the best time to snag cheap flights to Miami; however, if you are planning to travel through Miami during hurricane season, consider travel insurance.

Peak tourist season in Miami is January through April, which means fares are typically higher and flights more fully booked. Because it's a heavily traveled route, last minute flights to Miami could be very expensive as well. Since Miami is the hub between the US and Latin America, expect international flights to be more full during high season as travelers flock to Caribbean and Latin American destinations.

Best Airport to Visit Miami

MIA is the primary airport servicing South Florida. Nearly all carriers have flights in and out of MIA, including Delta, United, American, and their partner airlines. Global travelers are continuing to discover the area's charms, and international flights to Miami from Manchester, Dublin, and Sydney are some of the more popular routes. If you're departing on a cruise from the Port of Miami, MIA is the best airport to fly into.

The next closest airport is Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport (FLL), which is around 20 miles away. FLL is popular with cruise passengers leaving from Port Everglades and some short haul flights to the Caribbean. Carriers like Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest*, and Delta all have flights in and out of FLL.

Miami Area Neighborhoods and Attractions

Miami is divided up into a variety of neighborhoods and districts. Popular areas include Downtown Miami, Coral Gables, South Beach, Coconut Grove, Bal Harbour, and more. Chic and upscale hotel brands are scattered throughout the popular areas, especially the beaches and downtown.

Top attractions in Miami include its beaches, especially South Beach and Miami Beach. Other popular waterfront areas include Bal Harbour, Sunny Isles Beach, Key Biscayne, Coconut Grove, and Coral Gables. Downtown Miami has become a financial and commercial center and is the gateway to ethnic neighborhoods like Little Haiti, Little Havana, and Overtown.

Miami's shopping scene is world-renowned. People fly in from other countries just to experience Miami's various shopping districts and malls. Popular outdoor shopping centers include Bayside Marketplace, Mary Brickell Village, CocoWalk, and The Falls. Malls like Aventura, Bal Harbour, Dolphin Mall, and Miami International Mall are popular indoor shopping spots.

Events in Miami

No matter the time of year, Miami always has something going on. Annual events like the Miami International Boat Show, Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Fashion Week, ULTRA Music Festival, and Miami International Auto Show are some of the biggest celebrations in Miami.

Various districts and neighborhoods have cultural events and celebrations as well. The Design District is noted for its community arts nights, and the Greater Miami and Beaches website has a full calendar for smaller scale events like monthly short film festival screenings, art exhibits and gallery showings, and even yoga classes.